Tech coaches see in Marquez a possible cure for the big-play punch the Red Raiders lacked last season.

Bradley Marquez wanted to play early for Texas Tech, but to be a starter by the second week of his freshman season might have seemed ambitious — especially since he’s played two positions for the Red Raiders that he didn’t play in high school.

A 2,000-yard rusher last fall for Odessa, the 5-foot-10, 183-pound Marquez was tried first at wide receiver and lately at inside receiver for the Red Raiders.

“I knew he was really fast,” Tech offensive coordinator Neal Brown said this week, “but he surprised me that he’s learned how to play the position. It works to his advantage, because we’ve really got to get some speed and some explosiveness on the field.

“The other thing is, he really competes. He’s a physical kid and he really competes, so I’m not surprised he’s proven he can play at this level. I’m surprised that he’s picked up the position so fast.”

Tech coaches have been enamored with Marquez’s playmaking potential ever since they signed him in February. In him, they saw a possible cure for the big-play punch the Red Raiders lacked last season.

Marquez started the season as the backup to flanker Darrin Moore, but when Moore went off for 12 catches, 221 yards and a touchdown in the season opener, the offensive staff switched Marquez to “H” inside receiver.

“I didn’t see it (coming) at all,” Marquez said. “They just told me, ‘We’re going to move you to ‘H.’ Hopefully, you can get a little bit more footballs there, because Darrin’s a great player. He’s going to play a ton of snaps. If you’re sitting behind him, you’re not going to get as much.’”

Marquez caught a 10-yard touchdown pass in his Sept. 3 college debut against Texas State, and coaches said he got open a few more times when the pass didn’t come his way.

At the beginning of last week, inside receivers coach Sonny Cumbie broke the news to Marquez that he would be changing positions. This week, he was listed on the depth chart as a starter.

“I’ve always said, I just want to be on the field,” Marquez said. “I don’t care what position I’m playing. I came here to win games. Whatever position they may need me, I don’t mind. I’ll pick it up. I’ll learn it as fast as possible so I can do what the coaches ask me and help the team be successful.”

Of course, Marquez’s becoming a polished receiver won’t happen overnight. Brown said Marquez needs plenty of work on the nuances of playing receiver.

“Simple things like stance and start,” Brown said. “He tends to false step a lot in his stance. Hand placement when he’s catching the ball. At the break point of routes, getting his hips down.

“To be honest, I’m not sure that he’s going to be polished until maybe a year from now. Those are things he’s just got to get a bunch of reps, over and over, doing. But the thing I like is he’s eager to learn. He always comes back. It bothers him when he makes a mistake, and he learns pretty quick. So I think he’s got a chance, for sure.”

Tech coach Tommy Tuberville said Marquez has good acceleration and “a different gear once the ball’s in his arms.”

“Sometimes you get fast guys on your team, but they don’t play football fast,” Tuberville said. “He plays football fast. From the snap to the end, his routes are full speed. There’s not a lot of indifference in between. When he starts, he goes fast, and he’s going to catch the ball on the run.”

His physical talents aside, when asked how he’s managed to climb the depth chart so quickly, Marquez talked about his work ethic and help from older receivers.

“It’s just something I pride myself on — to be the best each and every day out here,” he said. “I don’t want to come out here and waste a day and waste time. I like to get better each and every day. The coaches and people around me have helped bring me along with the different (position) moves I’ve been through. They’ve been supportive and given me tips so I can be successful and play fast.”

ADVISORY: Users are solely responsible for opinions they post here and for
following agreed-upon rules of civility. Posts and
comments do not reflect the views of this site. Posts and comments are
automatically checked for inappropriate language, but readers might find some
comments offensive or inaccurate. If you believe a comment violates our rules,
click the "Flag as offensive" link below the comment.